UK government seeks CCC advice on net zero emissions target

Energy minister Claire Perry has today written to the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) asking for advice on setting a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target for the UK economy.

Perry has also asked the CCC whether the UK needs to review its 2050 goal for emission cuts, how best to make reductions, and what the costs and benefits to society would be.

This comes in response to a report published last week by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which warned that restricting global warming to 1.5˚C would require “rapid and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society”.

Perry said: “We’re a world leader when it comes to tackling climate change and cutting carbon intensity, but governments, businesses and communities must take further action to confront one of the greatest global challenges we’ve ever faced.

“That’s why we’re asking the independent climate experts of the CCC for advice on a roadmap to a net zero economy, including how emissions might be reduced and the expected costs and benefits of doing so.”

This marks the beginning of the country’s first ‘Green Great Britain Week’ – a government initiative that will see more than 100 events take place around the country to promote clean growth opportunities.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) also today unveiled a package of new energy measures, including the launch of a £320m government fund for low-carbon heating in cities.

An £18m Heat Recovery Support scheme was opened to help businesses become more efficient, potentially slashing energy bills by £500m, while laws intended to pave the way for smart buildings were also proposed.

The BEIS also highlighted research that suggests jobs in the low-carbon economy could quadruple from 400,000 to two million, generating up to £170bn of annual exports in the process.

Citing the results of a recent poll, the department revealed that 60% of 18-24-year-olds are interested in jobs in the environmental sector, with two-thirds of those saying they wanted to help tackle climate change.

“This Green GB Week, we need everyone – the government, businesses and communities – to renew their efforts to confront this global challenge head on while seizing one of the greatest industrial opportunities of our time,” Perry added.

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